Washing machine



Feb. 23, 1937. J. B. KlRBY 2,072,047

WASHING MACHINE Fil ed Oct. 29, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 H 35 1 54 11 I i J :l L j I I l :J-

/4 /5 ,/5 /z I a 25 We T 722. 51"

8 INVENTOR James B.Kirb

11's ATT Feb. 23, 1937. J, B, may 2,012,047

WASHING MACHINE Filed 001;. -29, 1932 4 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Jam 8.; B. Kirl y' Patented Feb. 23, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WASHING MACHINE Application October 29, 1932, Serial No. 640,253

' 11 Claims. (01. 68-15) This invention relates to clothes washing machines and in particular machines of the type wherein there is provided both washing and wringing mechanisms.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide in a machine of the type defined, a generally simplified and inexpensive operating mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the class defined, an eflicient and quietly operating mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the type defined, an improved form of operation mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the type defined, an improved form of driving mechanism for the washing and wringing devices of the machine.

Another object of my invention is to provide in a washing machine gearing, an improved form of variable stroke agitator driving mechanism.

Another object .of my invention is to provide in a machine of the type defined, an improved form of agitator construction.

Another object of my invention is to provide in a machine of the type defined, improved liquid handling means. p Another object of my invention is to provide in a machine of the type defined, animproved form of wringer driving mechanism.

Stated in general terms the machine chosen to illustrate one mode of practicing my invention comprises a gyrator type washing machine with mechanism for operating an oscillatable gyrator located beneath the tub of the machine, such mechanism also serving to operate a wringer located above the tub of the machine. This mechanism comprises a motor arranged on a vertical axis and having a pulley for driving a belt by A further object of my invention is to providein a machine of the type defined, an improved arrangement for supporting and mounting the operating mechanism of the machine whereby such mechanism can be assembled and tested independently of the machine; the same forming with its base an independent and operative unit particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a side elevational view partly in section, showing a combined washing and wringing machine illustrating one mode of practicing my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the agitator used in the machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the wringer driving reduction gear taken on line 3-3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is a plan view partly in section, of the underside of the machine corresponding to line 4-4 of Figure 1 and showing the driving mechanism of the machine in full on position.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the variable stroke mechanism taken-on line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a slightly modified form of variable stroke mechanism corresponding generally to the mechanism shown in-Figure 4 and showing the parts in the full off position.

Figure '7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Figure 4 illustrating certain details of the variable stroke mechanism; and

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view. taken on line 8--8 of Figure 4 illustrating certain details of the belt tension adjusting mechanism.

The washing machine illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a washing tub or casing I carried upon a suitable frame 2, supported by legs 3, having casters 4 at their lower ends. The machine is provided with a wringer 5 of suitable design mounted so as to swing above the tub I about the 40 axis of its supporting column 6 under control of a locking lever 'I. A control lever 8 is provided for controlling the stopping and forward or reverse driving connections of the wringer.

The tub is provided with a cover 9 and within the tub there is provided an agitator l0 mounted for reversely rotary movement about a vertical axis. This agitator has a plurality, of radially extending upstanding vanes .ll projecting from an apertured base portion l2 The base being formed with openings so as to allow free circulation of water therethrough. The corrugations formed by spaced strips [3 of the base cooperat to exert a scrubbing action on the clothes as they were. forced against the surface of this tator I rests on the top of the bearing |5. The bearing member is held in leak-proof position in the tub by means of a lock nut l6 and the cooperating flange 62 of the bearing member. A washer I6 is provided as a spacing member between the tub I and the base 2. Suitable sealing gaskets (not shown) may be used between the tub and the elements l6 and I6. The agitator shaft I4 is operatively connected to movement converting mechanism which will be described in detail presently.

The washer mechanism is driven by means of an electric motor H or other suitable source of motive power by way of the power transmission belts l8 and i9. The belt I8 is driven by the motor pulley 26 and it in turn serves to drive the pulley 2| of a fluid pump 22 suspended from a control valve 23. The belt l8 also engages in driving relation the pulley 24 of a crank shaft 25 having a crank 26 at its upper end. A gyrotative externally toothed gear 21 is mounted for rotation 'on the crank 26 and also for revolution about the axis of the shaft 26. The teeth of the gear 21 engage witls the teeth of a fixed internal gear 28 and as the gear 21 is rapidly rolled about in the gear 28 it is slowly rotated about the axis of the crank 26.

The gyrotative gear 21 is connected in driving relation to a vertical shaft 29 by means of the universal joint 36. The upper end of the shaft 29 is connected in driving relation with the 40 vertical wringer driving shaft 3| by means of a second universal joint 3|". Thus upon rotation of the crank 26 the gear 21 rolls around the internal gear and provides a compact, inexpensive and'eflicient speed reducing device for driving the 5 vertical shaft 29.

The inlet side of the pump 22, is connected to the bottom of the tub by means of the valve 23, which has a control handle 32. The outlet side of the pump is.connected to a drain hose 33 hav- 50 ing a gooseneck 34 swiveled tov its other end and received in a pocket 35 formed to provide an aperture through the side wall of the tub.

The belt l8 serves to drive a speed reducing idler-pulley 36 upon which is formed a small 55 pulley'31, which engages with the belt l9 and thus serves to rotate a large speed reducing pulley 38 by means of this belt. The pulley 38 is rotatably journaled on a stub shaft 39 in line I with the axis of the tub I. The central portion 60 of the pulley 38 hasan upstanding eccentric pin 40 to which is journaled a pitman 4|. The pitman 4| is pivotally connected at 42 to an oscillate.- :16 guideway 43 in which is received a slide block The slide block 44 is pivotally connected at 45 to an adjusting lever 46 and also to a second pitman 41 which is at its other end pivotally connected at 48 to a crank 49 fixedly secured to the lower end of the agitator shaft so that the 70 reciprocatory movement of the pitman 41 is transmitted tothe crank 49. A control lever 50 isjournaled for-fmovement about the axis of the tub I and it has an operating handle 5| and a pivotal connection 52 with the lever 46 whereby 15 means are provided for moving the slide block 44 and its pivot 45 along the channeled guideway 43 of the lever 43 so that the length of stroke of the pitman 41 can'be" adjusted from zero to maximum, it being at zero for the position shown in Figure 6 when the pivot point 45 corresponds to the pivotal point 53 of the lever 43 and at maximum when the parts occupy the position shown in Figure 4; The base of the machine is provided with suitable notches 54 so that the control member 5| and the associated parts can be maintained in various adjusted positions.

In Figure 4 the variable stroke mechanism is shown in its on or full stroke position. In

Figure 6 the mechanism is shown in its off position and no movement whatever is transmitted to the agitator or its shaft. The form of construction shown in Figure 6 differs in that the crank 49 is replaced by a pinion 55 and the pitman 41 is provided with rack teeth 56 in operative engagement with the teeth .ofthe pinion 55. This form of gearing is provided toincrease the stroke of the agitator H) to approximately one half of a turn. The rack bar 41 is held in operative relation with respect of the pinion 55 by means vof a stirrup 51-having a bearing portion 58 journaled aboutthe agitator ,shaft [5 extended, at points above and below the'pinion 55. The other parts of the operating mechanism for the agitator shaft are exactly the same as the parts shown in Figure 4.

The agitator shaft I5 is provided with suitable packing 59 carried in the enlarged lower portion of the bearing member I5. This packing is heldternal bearing surface 63 upon which is journaledthe operating lever 50.

The idler pulley 36 is mounted for rotation on a shaft 64 fixedly secured to a plate 65 eccentrically of a pin 66 upon which the plate is journaled. A second plate 61 is carried by the pin 66 and it cooperates with the plate 65 tovhold the pin and the stud shaft. 64 in' alignment. The pin 66 is slidably received in a slot 68 formed in a support- .ing member 69. On the underside of the supporting plate 69 there is provided a threaded and swiveled member 10 for the reception of the screw threaded rod 1|. This rod engages at one end of the member 66 and at its other end is provided with a knurled adjustment handle 12, so that by turning the adjustment handle 12 the tension on the belts l8 and I 9 can be adjusted. The plate 65 is movable about the pin 66 and in this manner the pulleys 36 and 31 can accommodate themselves to equalize the tension of the belts l9 and I9. Practically all of the operating elements of the .machine are mounted on the plate 69 thus permitting' the assembling and testing of the mechanism as a unit apart from the rest of t machine. The assembled operating unit is applied to the rest of the machine by holding theplate 69 in position to receive the bolts 13. After these bolts 13 are tightened the nut I6 is applied to the bearing I5 and the belt I8 is slipped over the pulleys 2| and 24 whereupon the machine is in condition for operation.

Furthermore it is to be understood that the particular forms of apparatus shown and described, and the particular procedure set forth are presented for purposes of explanation and that various modifications of said apparatus and procedure can bemade without departure from my invention as described in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. In a machine of the class described, a framework structure including a base member and floor engaging supports connected thereto and projecting downwardly therefrom, a plate secured beneath said base member in a readily detachable manner, andan operating mechanism comprising independently mounted parts, some secured to said 'base member and others secured to said plate, such independently mounted parts of said mechanism" being non-fixedly joined to each other in operative relation whereby certain of the parts of said mechanism may be readily removed a supporting structure therefor including a flanged base member, a plate secured beneath said base member in. a readily detachable manner, and an operating mechanism comprising independently mounted parts, some secured to said base member and others secured to said plate, such independently mounted parts of said mechanism being non-fixedly connected to each other in operative relation by slidably interfitting mechanical connections and power transmission belt means, whereby certain of the parts of said mechanism may be readily removed from the machine upon the detachment of said plate from said base member, the flanged portionof said base member extending about said mechanism in concealing relation.

3. In a machine of the class described, a frame-' work structureincluding a base member and a plurality of supporting legs attached thereto and projecting downwardly therefrom, a plate secured beneath said base member in a readily detachable manner; and an operating mechanism comprisingindependently mounted parts, some secured to said base member and others including a.

motor secured to said plate, such independently mounted partsof said mechanism being nonflxedly connected to each other in operative relation by means of oscillatable driving and driven elements of ,the mechanism whereby certain of the parts of said mechanism may be readily removed from the machine upon the detachment of said plate from said base member.

4. In a machine of the class described, a base, a plate secured to said base in a readily detachable mannenand an operating mechanism comprising independently mounted parts, some secured to said base and others secured to said plate, such parts of said mechanism being joined to each other in operative relation by slidably interfitting mechanical connections and power transmission belt means, and means for adjusting such mechanical connections for controlling the operation of the machine.

5. In a machine of the class described, a base, a plate'secured to said base in a readily detachable manner, and an operating mechanism comprising independently mounted parts, some secured to said base and others secured to said plate, such parts of said mechanism being joinedt each other in operative relation by slidably interfitting mechanical connections and power transmission belt means, and means turnable about the center of said base for adjusting such mechanical connections for controlling the operation of the machine.

6. In a machine of the class described, a base, a plate secured to said base in a readily detachable manner, and an operating mechanism comprising independently mounted parts, some secured to said base and others secured to said plate, such parts of said mechanism being'joined to each other in operative relation by slidably interfltting mechanical connections and power transmission belt means, and means including an operating handle accessible exteriorly of the machine for adjusting such mechanical connections for controlling the operation of the machine.

7. In a washing machine of the type having a tub for clothes and washing fluid and an agitator oscillatably positioned therein, driving mechanism for the agitator comprising a motor having a belt pulley on its shaft, a belt connecting the pulley of said motor to the larger of a pair '01? joined and axially aligned pulleys rotatably carried by the machine, a fourth pulley of considerably larger size than the largest of the previously.

simultaneously adjusting the tension of saidbelts.

8. In a washing machine of the type having a tub for clothes and washing fluid and an agitator oscillatably positioned therein, driving mechaanism for the agitator comprising a motor having a belt pulley on its shaft, a belt connecting the pulley of said motor to the larger of a pair of joined and axially aligned pulleys rotatably carried by the machine, a fourth pulley of considerably larger size than the previously mentioned pulleys positioned centrally below the tub, a belt connecting said fourth pulley to the smaller of said aligned pulleys, motion-converting driving mechanism for said agitator including a member pivoted to said fourth pulley between the periphery and axis thereof, and means for supporting said aligned pulleys for free movement about a point to' one side of their axis :hereby they can equalize the tension of said elts. 9. In a laundry machine, rotating and oscillating laundering means, liquid handling means, power operating mechanism for driving said means comprising a vertically arranged motor having a belt pulley on its armature shaft, a belt connected to the pulley of said motor for driving said rotating laundering means and said liquid handling means, a pair of speed reducing, axially aligned, interconnected pulleys rotatably carried by the machine, one of said interconnected pulleys being in engagement with said belt, a second belt engaging the other of said interconnected pulleys, an enlarged pulley rotatably carried by the machine and driven by said second belt, motion converting means including a member pivotally engaging said enlarged pulley at one side of the axis thereof for driving said oscillating laundering means, and means for shifting the axis of said interconnected pulleys, for adjusting the tension of said belts.

10. In a machine of the class described; a base,

a plate secured to said base in a readily detachtable manner, and an operating mechanism comprising independently mounted P rts, some secured to said base and others secured to said plate, such parts of said mechanism being joined to each other in operative relation by slidably interfitting mechanical connections and power anism for the agitator comprising a motor having a belt pulley on its shaft, a belt connecting the pulley of said motor to the larger of a pair of joined and axially aligned pulleys rotatably carried by the machine, a fourth pulley of considerably larger size than the largest of the previously mentioned pulleys positioned centrally below the tub, a belt connecting said fourth pulley to the smaller of said aligned pulleys, motion-converting driving mechanism for'said agitator including an eccentrically connected meniber driven by said fourth pulley, and means for shifting the axis of said aligned pulleys 'for simultaneously adjusting the tension of said belts.

; JAMES B. IUIRBY. 

